Shaper for tabulating machine cards



July 8, 1941. A, E TERRY -.2,248,396

SHAPER FOR TABULATING MACHINE CARDS 'Filed June '7. 1939 llezzE Terzy Patented July 8, 1941 UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to card filing and more especially to means for shaping cards used in automatic computing machines and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide simple, practical and inexpensive means for shaping cards used in computing machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Shaper of the character ldescribed adapted for offsetting the curvature of tabulating machine cards occasioned by the inked surface thereof and resulting from use in the machines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shaper for tabulating machine cards for use in filing, storage and shipping.

Other objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the drawer of a ling cabinet showing my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a view of a typical filing card showing the curvature thereof to offset which this invention has been developed;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the le drawer shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the essential elements of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a container for shipping the tabulating cards; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a file drawer illustrating a modification of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing and especially to Fig. 2, I show a tabulating machine card A having a printed surface B, which printed surface normally causes a curvature of the card as shown and a similar curvature results from passing through'the rollers of the tabulating machines. It is well known, however, that the feeding and pick-up elements of the machines engage the edge of the cards, and unless the cards are presented in flat condition the tabulating operations will be interfered with. It is, therefore, important that the cards be applied to the machine in a flat or straight condition and such condition can only be provided for if the cards are given a reverse flexure or shaping .to offset the curvature occasioned by the printed surface or the machine rollers.

In order to accomplish this purpose I have provided a Shaper comprising elements I0, Il and. I2 which may be inserted in the drawer I3 of card filing cabinet I4. elements I0 and I2 being placed at the front and rear portions of the drawer respectively, and one or more elements IIl inserted at intervals between the cards A led therein. In the example shown the elements III, II and I2 are of light-weight metal. however, it will be understood that they may be made of wood, plastic or any other suitable material.

Elements III and I2 have straight portions I5 and I6 respectively and all of the elements have curved portions C as shown. In ling the cards in the drawer, it will be understood that they will be so filed as to give the cards a reverse flexure or bend as indicated at A in Fig. 2 to offset the normal curvature given by the inked surface and curvature of the tabulating machine rollers. If the cards are thus led, it will be found thatl when they are then removed for use in the machines, they will be straight.

The elements Ill, II and I2 are shown as having a length substantially equal to the interior width of the le drawer, however, in Fig. 6 I show a modified form of the invention in which the elements Illa and IZa, corresponding to elements Ill and I2, do not extend the width of the drawer, and a pair of elements I2a. are the equivalent of one of the elements I2. In this case suitable guides such as a rod I'I may serve to keep Illa, centered, and guides I8 having engaging means for elements I2a. may be used to keep the latter at the side portions of the drawer. n

In Fig. 5 I show a shipping container I9 containing a quantity of cards A and provided withshaper elements 20 and 2I at the bottom and top respectively, which elements may be inexpensively made from wood easily obtainable at the mill which manufactures and prints the cards. Thus cards shipped in such containers having my shaper elements therein will be straight and flat when removed therefrom for use.

It will be understood that the foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive of the invention and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subjoined claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

Shaping means for a le of cards in a cabinet comprising a pair of elements adapted to be placed against opposite end walls of said cabinet, said elements having complementary curved portions adapted to bend cards placed therebetween accordingly, and an intermediate plate element having the opposite faces thereof curved correspondingly to the curvature of said first elements and adapted to be placed in said cabinet between cards of said file. y

ALLEN E. TERRY. 

